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9th July 2006

RAF Boulmer - Summer camp 1st-8th of July

On Saturday, 1st of July 2006, a detachment of 134 (Bedford) Sqn cadets, led by Cpl Bubbins arrived at their HQ in Shortstown, ready for the annual Beds and Cambs wing summer camp.
This year’s camp was being held at RAF Boulmer, Northumberland with a total of 24 cadets from three squadrons attending, with eight of them from Bedford. 

The journey began at 0700 hours beginning with a bus journey to Peterborough station, a three hour train ride to Almouth, 35 miles north of Newcastle then a small coach journey to RAF Boulmer Admin site. The cadets moved to their allocated rooms where we were thrown straight into out first activity, exercise quick change. All the cadets had to change into all of there uniforms in turn in competition against the other flight which had been chosen shortly before. 'B' flight, took an early lead in the flight competition by taking all the available points for the day. The day’s activities finished with a map exercise of the base to locate all the important facilities of the base. The rest of the day was spent unpacking and become familiar with each others flight. Lights out was at 2300 hours.

Day 2
Reveille was at 0700 hours with cadets changing into DPM’s for a day of shooting at the range. With breakfast out of the way and room inspection done all the camp cadets headed to RAF Boulmer’s operation site and its range. With the more experience shooters firing the L98 Cadet rifle first, they finished with 90 rounds each and Cadet Smith obtaining his regional marksmen, which is the second for Bedford squadron. The less experienced firers had 30 rounds each on the no. 8 or the 22. Rifle. After lunch we continued shooting and those who needed to pass weapons handling tests, practised, and with a 100% pass rate all cadets got to shoot on the day. After a hard day at the range, we headed for the nearby beach for inter-flight cricket

The beach which provided the perfect setting for inter flight sports

Day 3
With reveille at the usual 0700 hours, cadets went to breakfast in their Wedgwood blue uniform so to be ready for station introduction by Group captain M K Crayford OBE MA RAF, Station Commander RAF Boulmer. After the brief we changed into working blues to practise for the inter-flight drill competition which would take place at the end of the week. We had to follow a guideline drill sequence that incorporated static and marching drill movements in a non-verbal drill sequence. The cadets had to learn the sequence and perfect it ready for the marking eyes of the station warrant officer.

After lunch the cadets put on their civvies and headed to Alnwick for a 3 mile coastal walk. Each cadet had to give a 2 minute talk about themselves and a subject of their choice. When cadets returned to barracks, they had played football with 'B' flight winning. The cadets hit their rooms for lights out at 2300 hours.

Day 4
Today the cadets put on their best blues to head for the CRC (control reporting centre) which is an underground bunker constructed during the cold war to watch the skies looking for Russian bombers. Following the end of the cold war, its role has changed. It now monitors all aircraft in the sky, which could reach over 5 thousand at any one time. 

On returning to camp, we completed an hour of drill practise then changed into sports kit for a few hours on a climbing wall, with others playing basketball and quick cricket. The day ended with uniform prep and lights out at 2300 hours like normal.

Day 5
Cadets woke to a day of fun and games. The cadets headed into Newcastle for a morning of fun at wet and wild, a water park for all ages. With the morning spent sliding around relaxing and having fun, the cadets moved onto see the angel of the north and have a group photo at her feet. The group then went and played two games of bowling to finish off the day with the points added to the inter-flight competition. The cadets retuned to camp where they had a few hours of free time and lights out was at the normal 2300 hours.

Day 6
Today the cadets headed to the operation site for the low ropes course and fire section of RAF Boulmer. With the fights split up they both had to tackle separate exercises on a low ropes course. The cadets had to negotiate different obstacles with cunning, leadership and skill. At the fire section, the cadets were set the challenge of creating a decontamination shower in the fastest time. This was followed by the opportunity to see the power of the fire hoses. 'A' flight won both of the competition, returning to base drenched and having completed the low ropes course with Cpl Bubbins in charge and directing. In the afternoon a local first response ambulance unit came and gave a lecture to the cadets about what they do. We then had a small careers interview from a member of the base and the several exercise quick changes. Lights out was at 2330 hours.

Day 7
The big day. With all of the hours of drill practise the drill competition finally came around, and with the station warrant officer reviewing the flights and marking the drill. The atmosphere was tense. As 'A' Flight entered the square and gave a near immaculate performance of the sequence, and 'B' flight closely doing the same, all the hard work paid off when it was announced that 'A' flight were the winners. The afternoon came around with the cadets taking their swimming proficiency and returning ready for the evenings quiz and final parade.

The quiz consisted of questions on the RAF, ATC, general knowledge and a special subject question rounds. With 'A' flights special subject being themselves and 'B' flights subject being GNER (Great north and eastern railway) the questions were hard and impossible with 'B' flight coming out on top.

All of this was followed by the final parade where the awards and winners of certain competitions were announced. The winning flight by a margin of only 20 points was 'B' flight, and Cpl Bubbins received best NCO award, and Cdt Smith winning the best shooting award. The night wrapped off with fun and games with the staff buying pizza and every one packing their bags ready for the early morning start.

Day 8
The travel home. With an earlier start of 0630 hours cadets bulled their rooms, packed the last of their kit and prepared for the journey home. With cadets leaving the block at 0830 hours and boarding the train at 0900 hours time was tight but all managed to organise themselves well enough to be on time and be on the train. With all arriving back at Peterborough station at midday and all goodbyes said all Bedford cadets boarded the waiting minibus driven by Flt Lt Mark Robinson CO Bedford Sqn for the drive back to headquarters and the final task of getting home.

With all the cadets returning home in one piece, having had a amazing week, learning new skills, meeting new people and experiencing military life, all enjoyed Summer camp 2006.

Cpl Bubbins and Cdt Smith.